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SQA hosts Scottish Training Federation conference
SQA has welcomed partners from the STF for their annual autumn conference.
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SQA hosts Scottish Training Federation conference
10
October
2024
None
Thursday 10 October 2024
Pictured are John McMorris, Director of Business Development at SQA, Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education, Caroline McFarlane, STF Chair and Stuart McKenna, STF Chief Executive.
SQA has hosted partners from the Scottish Training Federation (STF) at its offices for their annual autumn conference.
Titled Let’s talk – The future of Apprenticeships, Employability and Skills in Scotland, the STF welcomed training providers from all over the country to Glasgow to talk about the importance of collaboration and partnerships within the skills and training sector.
Among the speakers on the day were Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education; John McMorris, Director of Business Development at SQA; Diane Greenlees, Director of National Training Programmes at Skills Development Scotland; Pauline Radcliffe, Chief Executive of SCQF Partnership; Jane Duffy, Unit Head, Post School Qualifications at the Scottish Government; and Stuart McKenna, Chief Executive of the Scottish Training Federation.
The sessions were hosted by STF Chair Caroline McFarlane and Kevin Briggs, STF Vice Chair for Events.
Delegates also had the opportunity to participate in a number of workshops covering topics such as the role of the SQA Coordinator, reform of apprenticeships, and the Scottish Government’s employability strategic plan, No One Left Behind.
In his opening remarks to the conference, John McMorris, SQA Business Development Director, said: ‘SQA and STF collaborate regularly on many areas of work, including service provision, product development, quality in qualifications delivery, and the promotion of apprenticeships and vocational qualifications. I am delighted to welcome valued partners and conference delegates to SQA offices in Glasgow for the day.
‘While SQA is transitioning to Qualifications Scotland, we continue to work with the training and skills community in Scotland to deliver for learners, for employers and for the economy – from school level, through college, training and lifelong learning.
‘We will continue to work with skills and training providers to award and certificate a wide range of qualifications such as those that contribute to Modern Apprenticeships, Scottish Vocational Qualifications, and Higher National Certificates and Diplomas as well as many Customised Awards. These qualifications provide Scotland with the skills it needs for every aspect of the economy.’
Stuart McKenna, Chief Executive of the Scottish Training Federation, said: ‘We are grateful to SQA for its continued support and the offer to host our conference at its premises. While the debate regarding skills reform continues, training providers remain at the heart of the skills sector, delivering valuable, practical qualifications that support individuals, employers, and the wider economy. Bringing our members together gives us the opportunity to collaborate, listen to one another and contribute to the dialogue between government and skills stakeholders and amplify the voice and experience of our members.’
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10-OCT-2024
Thu, 10 Oct 2024 12:33:00 +0100
NEW
SQA workshop gives Lourdes pupils tips on job success
Staff from SQA visited Lourdes Secondary School in Cardonald to deliver an employability skills workshop for senior pupils.
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SQA workshop gives Lourdes pupils tips on job success
3
October
2024
None
Thursday 3 October 2024
Staff from SQA visited Lourdes Secondary School in Cardonald to deliver an employability skills workshop for senior pupils.
Over the course of the session, pupils from S4 through to S6 worked with volunteers from SQA on a number of activities designed to help the young people understand and talk about the core skills employers are looking for including communication, problem solving, and working with others.
Pupils were paired with SQA staff – including several of SQA’s recent intake of Modern Apprentices – who took them through a series of tasks before working with them on job applications, and interview techniques, before finally participating in a mock interview.
The workshops were designed by SQA to support young people as part of the national awarding body’s commitment to the Developing the Young Workforce initiative.
Fiona Robertson, Chief Executive at SQA, who attended the workshop, and met with several pupils and staff from Lourdes Secondary School, said: ‘These employability workshops are designed to get young people to think about the skills they have developed in school – and away from the classroom – so they can talk about them positively, and learn how they could be applied in the workplace.
‘Workshops are delivered by my colleagues, including some of our Modern Apprentices as part of their volunteering hours, and are enthusiastic about giving something back to our local communities.
Ms Robertson adds: ‘The workshop also gives the learners the chance to experience an interview – which can be a bit daunting – but gives them the opportunity to take their new knowledge of the process and put it to use.’
At each session, students are given a workbook so they can recognise and record their skills. They can also highlight their achievements which then form the basis of their answers for their practice job interview. All participants in the workshop also receive a SQA certificate at the end of the day.
Lisa Blain, a teacher at Lourdes Secondary School said: “The workshop went very well; the pupils were engaged and benefitted from hearing from the SQA apprentices about what kind of jobs are out there and what they can progress to. The workshops gave them different career path options and allowed them to hear first-hand experiences about job roles they didn’t necessarily know existed.
‘As the day progressed, the students come out of their shell, helping to bring out their skills and qualities that will help them on their journey to their next steps after school.’
Hollie McFall, a pupil at the school said: ‘I really enjoyed the workshop. The person I was paired with helped me understand what skills I had, and how they could be applied in a workplace. They gave me advice on how to talk about my skills and experience, in a way that made sense to me. We all then had the chance to take part in mock interviews at the end of the workshop and put what we learned over the day into practice.’
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03-OCT-2024
Thu, 3 Oct 2024 16:34:38 +0100
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